his duty very courteously.

"Upon what charge, I pray you, am I to be arrested?" inquired Mr.
Lytton, sarcastically, still inclined to treat the whole matter as a
very bad practical joke.

"You may read the warrant, sir," answered the officer, unfolding a
document and placing it in the hands of Alden Lytton, who, with some
anger and curiosity, but no anxiety, began to read it.

"What is the matter? What does this person want here?" inquired Emma, in
surprise, as she entered the room, came up to the group and saw the
intruder.

"He has some business with me, my love," answered her husband,
controlling himself with a great effort, as he read the shameful charges
embodied in the warrant commanding his arrest. Then, still speaking with
forced calmness, he said to the deputy-sheriff:

"I will go with you first into the library, Mr. Bowlen, where we can
talk over this matter with my friends."

And turning to the two bridegrooms he inquired:

"Can you give me a few minutes with this officer in the library?"

"Certainly," answered Mr. Lyle and Mr. Brent, in one voice.

"Ladies, you will excuse us for a few minutes?" inquired Mr. Lytton,
smiling around upon the group.

"Certainly," answered two or three ladies, speaking for the whole party.

"Follow me, if you please, gentlemen," said Alden Lytton, as he led the
way to the library.

There the four men--Mr. Lytton, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Brent and the
sheriff--stood around a small table, all with anxious and some with
questioning looks.

"Read that and tell me what you think of it," said Mr. Lytton, placing
the warrant for his arrest in the hands of Mr. Lyle.

"Think of it? I think it at once the falsest, basest and most absurd
charge that ever was made against an honorable man!" exclaimed Mr. Lyle,
in righteous indignation, as he threw the document on the table.

"It is all a diabolical conspiracy!" added Joseph Brent, who had read
the warrant over the shoulder of his friend.

"It can not stand investigation for one moment," said Stephen Lyle.

"And the wretches who got this up should be severely punished!"
exclaimed Joseph Brent.

"Most severely!" added Stephen Lyle.

"But what show of foundation could they have had for such a charge? The
warrant accuses you of having 'feloniously intermarried with one Emma
Angela Cavendish in and during the lifetime of your lawful wife, Mary
Lytton, now living in this State!' Now, who the very mischief is this
Mary who claims to